Why are many animal and plant species dying out forever?

You will never see the great auk, the laughing owl, or the O’ahu ‘O’o at the zoo or even in the wild because these species are gone forever. That’s extinction—when all the members of a species have died. Once a species becomes extinct, our planet changes forever.

Extinction is a natural part of our Earth’s history, but today species are becoming extinct faster than ever. Every year, new species are becoming threatened with extinction.

When a species is endangered , scientists monitor it closely year after year. Accurate information about population size and distribution helps scientists plan conservation efforts and identify areas where the species is in most danger. Then they can take action before it’s too late.